Should it be
1) Let's break off for lunch.
or
2) Break up for lunch.
or
3) Let's break for lunch.
?
break / break off
Moderator: EC
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- Rising Star
- Posts: 243
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- Location: Singapore
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- Rising Star
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:04 am
- Location: Singapore
Re: Break
Thank you very much, Josef!
I have found some examples of "break off" in the dictionaries. Are they Standard English or regionalism?
1. Finally we would break off for coffee and to talk more informally. [pg. 35, Oxford Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs by A.P.Cowie & R. Mackin]
2. Let's break off and have a cup of tea.
2a. Let's break off work and have a cup of tea. [Longman Dictionary of Phrasal verbs by Rosemary Courtney]
I have found some examples of "break off" in the dictionaries. Are they Standard English or regionalism?
1. Finally we would break off for coffee and to talk more informally. [pg. 35, Oxford Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs by A.P.Cowie & R. Mackin]
2. Let's break off and have a cup of tea.
2a. Let's break off work and have a cup of tea. [Longman Dictionary of Phrasal verbs by Rosemary Courtney]
- Joe
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- Location: England
Re: Break
I agree with jmio. The danger with "break off" is that it can imply the end of an activity, not a mere pause. This is indicated by the use of the word "Finally" in your example sentence #1. Sentences #2 and #2a are ambiguous and we might only know from the context whether the break was permanent or temporary.
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- Rising Star
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:04 am
- Location: Singapore
Re: break / break off
Josef and jmio,
Thank you very much for your help.
Thank you very much for your help.